Sunday, April 27, 2014

"You're always taking photos!"

The kids tell me this everywhere we go together....my answer is always "Of course I am!! Look at this!!" It's such a beautiful city!




The students are working on a Mother's Day craft at school. So cute. And they gave out trophies for the students who spoke the least amount of Spanish in the classroom that week. It was a loud, adorable ceremony that included epic music via youtube, winning kids standing on a podium of desks and tables, and the rest of the students chanting their names. It was so sweet to see how genuinely excited they were for their friends' accomplishments. :)
Friday I was able to go to Carmen's basketball game and then out to explore downtown with some friends. The city is so alive and lit up all night! We just walked around and of course...found gelato. 






Saturday I met up with Caitlin and her host dad and his son. They took us to Parc Guell and Montjuic! Two AMAZING places! Parc Guell is home to much of Gaudi's work....and it's magical. Like more magical than Disneyworld. Not to mention, the park itself is just beautifully landscaped and so relaxing. The views were wonderful, too. (but boy we had to climb some hills to get there!!)

 The mosaic work is incredible!

 

                                                      A perfect Red Towel opportunity. ;)

After the park, they invited me over for lunch...which was delicious freshly made pasta and pesto! I was going to head back, but they offered me chocolate....and spanish custard....and Serbian coffee, so by the time I was done, they had already invited me to visit Montjuic with them, as well! They were so kind and helpful!We could see so far from here, and the castle itself was so neat!







Montjuic is a park on a mountain with a giant castle/fort on top. It was originally built in the 1600s but has been restored and maintained through the years.

For the real history lesson, head to this site:
 http://www.bcn.cat/castelldemontjuic/en/welcome.html



 We took a scenic route home that included gelato, of course. I tried Horchata, too! I got home and got to meet a cousin of my host family who studied some in America. Not only does she speak English, but she was kind enough to share the dinner leftovers with me! ;)


Sunday I was able to go to church and meet lots of fantastic people! They were so kind and friendly. I came home for Elena's homemade lasagna for lunch with the grandparents. It was deeeelicious. And so was the spanish chocolate pudding from scratch. She is a pro in the kitchen...I feel so lucky! :D We relaxed at the house and then went to Carmen's chorus concert. She did great, of course!

  They then took me through a quaint Catalan neighborhood, Poblenou. This area was mostly "dead" until the Olympics came to Barcelona. Now it's very popular! They have revitalized it and the streets are full of people walking, skating and biking. There are gypsies selling gorgeous arts and crafts, restaurants everywhere with outdoor dining lining the streets, and it all ends up at the beach!! So we played volleyball and soccer in the sand and I stuck my feet in the (cold) Mediterranean Sea! It's such a beautiful, deep blue!! We stopped for....GELATO! on the way back and got some scrumptious sandwiches! This shop has been open 102 years!! You know it has to be good.




There's so much to see here and learn here! It's such a fantastic opportunity! And it's really been an amazing thing to live with a family (who were strangers I'd never met just a week ago) and feel so welcome and included. I'm so attached already!

This week is a short week for school because of some holidays. So Wednesday evening or Thursday morning I'm heading north with the family to Costa Brava and some surrounding villages! I'm so excited for that! On the radar for the next few days in the city: shopping, Sagrada Familia, and maybe I'll finally get my hands on some churros!! (my hands are always on gelato instead...maybe the blog needs a name change.)

¡Buenas!
Sarah

1 comment:

  1. It looks like you are having a great time. We miss you. See you soon. Mrs. V's Class

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